State Line by Brad Byrd
"State Line" is the last song from the "Boulevard" recording sessions I did about two years ago in Hollywood, CA. This is a great studio, and Clay, the owner, is awesome and a friend.
My last single "Into the Big Idea" that you may recall was also cut in this session as well as a (yet to be released) track called "Sweet Virginia". A band that I really dig "The War On Drugs" has cut some albums in this studio and I feel like getting in there with my own band and having the opportunity to record was a true gift.
We basically booked a day with Bryan Cook engineering and running the board and also mixing "Into the Big idea" and "Sweet Virginia". On drums and co-producing is Al Sgro, guitar (John Kimbrough), bass (Daniel Rhine), steel guitars (Ben Peeler), keys (Jerry Borge'), and myself on guitars and vocals.
We accomplished our goal of getting 3 songs cut live in one day. We ended up doing very minimal overdubs, in fact I never sang another note aside from what we cut in a few takes in the studio. I want to capture a more live full band thing and I'm proud of the performances we all gave.
"State Line" is basically a song about being stuck, and knowing it. Being in a place where you can't really do the things you want or think you should be doing. It's sort of an "anti-acceptance is the answer" type message about being in a place in your life and knowing that you should be somewhere else. Or at least battling the self delusion that you should be. Instead, you suck it up, and try to stay present for the people and the conversations you are having "been talking to fools, still learning".
In other words, you're with the wrong people, stuck in the wrong state, and know you should be elsewhere but nevertheless absorbing and listening to what is being said. This track was mixed by Bill Mims, and mastered by Adam Grover at Sterling Sound in Nashville.
Enjoy and oh, wait for it, the band kicks in halfway through and takes you for a nice sonic ride,
bb
Tracklist
| 1. | State Line | 8:03 |
Lyrics
I want a straight line
but it's still curving
Been stuck at the state line
Are you still there?
Pages and arrows
Keep on turning
Into the bright lights
Burning
Somebody help me out from here
Been talking to fools
Still learning
Somebody tell me who I am
I walked in the meadow
Was hoping to see you
I picked a flower
So beautiful
I wanted to show you
But I didn't...
Into the bright lights
Burning
Somebody help me out from here
Been talking to fools
Still learning
Somebody tell me who I am
I’m stuck at the state line
Credits
Brad Byrd - Guitars and Vocals
Al Sgro - Co-Producer
John Kimbrough - Guitar
Daniel Rhine - Bass
Ben Peeler - Steel Guitars
Jerry Borge - Keys
